Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 11th, 2021 4:09PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

Marcus Waring,

Email

The thaw begins next week! Until then, bring extra layers in case of emergency and plan to end your day well before it gets dark. This is not the kind of weather you want to spend a night out in!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries near Cameron Lake. Low -34, High -20 .  Moderate east to Northeast winds.

Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods. High of -21 with an alpine inversion.  Moderate east winds.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud. High -12. Light south wind.

Snowpack Summary

35cm of powder snow sits on the surface at Cameron Lake with limited wind effect at treeline & below. Low density snow has been redistributed by NW-NE winds creating soft windslab in the alpine & near ridgetop. Recent snow sits on previous windslab which overlies a crust below 1900m. Midpack is well consolidated but becomes faceted in shallow areas

Avalanche Summary

Several small (size 1-1.5) loose dry avalanches were seen in steep terrain on Tuesday. One larger Size 2 slab avalanche triggered by cornice fall was seen in the Cameron Lake area on a northeast aspect at treeline.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are forming in unusual places with variable wind direction. Feel for pockets of stiffer snow before you commit to your line. Treeline hazard is specific to exposed terrain features such as ridgelines. 

  • Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by North through East winds.
  • Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

The problem is specific to steep terrain and will become less of an issue as snow continues to settle with warming temperatures sunday.

  • Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
  • Be very cautious with gully features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2021 4:00PM